Thursday, 6 December 2012

In Praise of William and Kate; in Praise of Monarchy

There was a post on Blog Catalogue congratulating William and Kate,
the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge,
on the forthcoming birth of their first child, good news for them in particular
and for the British monarchy in general, the succession now secured far into
the future. I added my own congratulations but the post also attracted
ignorant comment from people who should know better but don’t.

One American described our monarchy as a ‘travesty’ and an
Australian pompously went on about what an anachronism it was in the modern
world to have an inherited head of state. This was supported by arrant
nonsense about philosophers and political thinkers in the seventeenth century
being “more modern and more rational.” It demanded a response and response
I gave, highlighting the importance of monarchy in history. This is my
broadside on ignorance. It’s been slightly adapted and expanded.

I’m not sure who the ‘more modern and more rational’ seventeenth century
political thinkers were alluded to here. It just so happens that the
seventeenth century is my speciality, a period of intense political upheaval in
the history of England.
It was the one time that we got rid of our monarchy, albeit for a brief period.

It was a period when the gentle authoritarianism of King
Charles I was replaced by the military dictatorship of Oliver Cromwell and the
dire Puritanism of the Major Generals. In the end the people had enough of
Protectors, Republics and Confusion, calling Charles II home from exile. Since
then the institution has gone from strength to strength, gently devolving its
former prerogatives and powers to Parliament and People.

There is an acute historical irony here. The monarchy,
it might be said, is an institution in evolution. It evolves now just as
it has in the past. In the eighteenth century the Americans rebelled
against the perceived ‘tyranny’ of George III, eventually creating a
monarchical republic. As George and his descendents continued to devolve
power to Parliament, an imperial presidency arose in the States.
Presidents as varied as Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt
exercised forms of prerogative power that even Charles I would have found
shocking.

Looking further afield, consider the history of France, where a monarchy was
replaced by ‘rational’ forms of terror, mass murder and dictatorship. Look at
the history of the last century, conceivably the most terrible in human
history, where in place of traditional monarchies in Russia and Germany we had murderous
tyranny; instead of Nicholas II we had Stalin; instead of Wilhelm II we had
Hitler.

Bringing the story up to date, the most politically advanced, stable and
culturally tolerant countries in Europe are
all monarchies. Apart from my own country there is the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. It was the monarchy in Spain that
acted as the midwife to a modern democracy after years of dictatorship.

I do wish people would think a little more deeply before they use words like travesty
or before they waffle on about anachronism and rationality.

Anyway, well done William and Kate, two more charming people
I find difficult to imagine. They will make splendid parents just as one
day they will make a splendid King and Queen.

16 comments:

Ana the problem is people do not think anymore, they open their mouths while eating and spew undigested facts gleaned from the toilet paper tabloids. Oh how wonderful a world comprised of instant dictatorships based on radical left wing thinking and an eschewal of standards, and no stopping them, Australia is really a land of the vaguely socialised criminal, oh bless you with your sports stars, your fake Monarchy, after all I am only using your humour in the style you most admire, that of your place of socially accepted unassailability,all you Republic builders, such a demotic string of cliches you spew after all.

Ana, I have nothing but respect for the royals. I think Prince William and Kate are charming, too. They are excellent role models, not just in England but worldwide, and they’ll be wonderful, doting parents. I didn’t see that comment on Blog Catalog until you mentioned it, then I looked for it and left a congrats to the royal couple comment (as well as “liking” your comments). Frankly, I was surprised at the very negative comments there (and as an American, I’d like to apologize for any rude Americans). Yes, people should think more deeply before tossing out words like travesty, and I think you very aptly answered that with historical facts. Excellent post!

I have always been an ardent monarchist but did not truly know why other than vague thoughts that it worked and that it brought stability. Now after reading your excellent article I am much better informed and am surprised at how much more important maintaining the monarchy is. However having followed political, social and economic policies and practices for many decades now that have been mostly left inspired that have brought the UK and many Western nations to their knees I foresee the same influences one day abolishing the monarchy.

Best wishes to the young Royals; By all that is right and just Charles and his rancid consort should gracefully step aside. The royal houses of Europe still yield great political and financial clout and the power base is in Thule Sweden.

I agree with you, travesty and anachronism are definitely not words I'd use to describe the British monarchy.

The one thing I will say though, is that it's a shame how much personal information the public knows about political and/or famous people. Actually, it sucks that they feel they must tell the public before the news breaks or leaks. I hope for their sake, they are able to have some quiet and private moments throughout this pregnancy and in their lives in general. Americans, Isn't there a fiscal cliff that needs our attention?

About Me

Hi, I'm Ana! History is my passion -and that is not too strong a word - but I also enjoy politics, philosophy, art, literature and travel. In addition I have a deep interest in witchcraft, in all of the ancient arts. Apart from that I'm a keen sportswoman. I play lacrosse and tennis, but I love riding most of all. I have my own horse, Annette.